Etymology

First attested 1654. Borrowing from Latin sub rosā ‎(“under the rose”), from sub ‎(“under”) + rosā ‎(“rose”).

The rose's connotation for secrecy dates back to Greek mythology. Aphrodite gave a rose to her son Eros, the god of love; he, in turn, gave it to Harpocrates, the god of silence, to ensure that his mother's indiscretions (or those of the gods in general, in other accounts) were kept under wraps. In the Middle Ages a rose suspended from the ceiling of a council chamber pledged all present – those under the rose, that is – to secrecy.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌsʌb.ˈɹəʊ.zə/